Welsh health boards get funding in energy efficiency plans: The Welsh Government has reported over £10 million in extra funding for 3 health boards to finish their energy efficiency & renewables plans.

The financing, which is repayable on an Invest to Save basis, will back energy programs being conveyed by Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB), Cardiff and Vale University Health Board & the Hywel Dda University Health Board.

It constructs on £2 million given last year as a portion of a bigger £17 million programme.

The most current funding contains £2 million in COVID-19 recovery reserves, allocated for a projected 4MW solar project for SBUHB, that will help strengthen Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Together with a continuing £7.7 million retrofit plan, it is anticipated to save the health board over £1.6 million a year in energy bills.

The solar farm, conditional to planning permission, will be situated at Brynwhillach Farm & connected to Morriston Hospital by a 3km in length private wire.

An additional £3.8 million is forecast to assist the health board to finish the solar farm by end of 2022.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is being allowed an additional £600,000 to extend its work to advance energy efficiency throughout its estate & Hywel Dda University Health Board will accept £1.75 million to set up solar panels on buildings throughout its estate, added to other energy efficiency measures.

All of the health boards worked with the Welsh Government Energy Service, that provides advice & assistance on energy to neighbourhoods and public entities, to recognise opportunities to better their energy efficiency & expand the use of renewable energy throughout their estates.

Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths stated: “As we look towards making Wales a carbon-neutral nation, we want to do everything we can to support public bodies, such as health boards, to minimise their carbon output through efficiency measures and to use renewable options wherever possible.

“I would like to thank each of the health boards for the work they have already undertaken in this respect; and would especially like to thank Swansea Bay University Health Board for their ambition, as they work towards creating a new solar farm, which will help power Morriston Hospital.”

Welsh health boards get funding in energy efficiency plans